Printer&#39;s knockout



Nov. 30, 1948. c. w. WRIGHT 2,455,@33

PRINTERS KNOCKOUT Filed March 23, 1946' I 2-2. L, a

dizaf'Zes W. Wright Patented Nov. 30, 1948 UNITED 2 Claims.

My invention relates to what I term as printers knock-outs and my object is to provide new and useful devices of this character which may be employed to advantage by printers and stereotypers for forming apertures in stereotypeplates while being molded in a casting box against a pulp matrix, so that cuts or type may be set in such apertures.

It is the practice of manufacturers and others to furnish publishers with matrices containing advertising and other matter for publication. Matrices furnished by manufacturers often have blank spaces for forming corresponding blank spaces in the stereotype-plates molded in contact with the matrices in a casting box. When a casting is completed and removed from the casting box the blank space thereof is chiseled or otherwise cut out to provide an aperture in which type may be set for printing a retailers name and address, who is carrying stock obtained from the manufacturer. Or sometimes the stereotyper or printer may wish to cut out certain letters, figures, pictures and the like, appearing at one or more places on the stereotype-plate and substitute therefor other matter by setting a cut or type, containing the substitute matter, in the opening or openings left after cutting out the discarded subject-matter.

I-Ieretofore it has been customary to manually cut out the blank spaces or places of stereotypeplates, an operation which takes considerable time and adds substantially to the cost of producing the plates. By the use of my invention the cost of manually cutting out the metal at the blank spaces or other parts of a stereotype-plate is eliminated as the opening or openings are formed during the casting process by one or more of my printers knock-outs. My invention includes flexible members for application to uneven surfaces of a matrix to prevent distortion of the latter by pressure of the knock-outs when locked in the casting box adjacent to such uneven surfaces.

In order that the invention may be fully understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 represents an isometric view of a knockout with one form of teeth at its upper end to engage in a matrix and thereby prevent the knockout from shifting its position in a casting box while a stereotype-plate is being molded in the latter.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are fragmentary views partly in section, showing various positions in which flexible memberslmay be placed upon irregular portions of the blank spaces.

Fig. 5 is an inverted fragmentary detail of a stereotype-plate showing an aperture formed therein by a knock-out during the molding process. s

Fig. 6 is a detail of a flexible member for preventing distortion of an uneven surface at the blank space or other part of a matrix.

Fig. 7 is a detail of a knock-out with a modified form of teeth.

Referring in detail to the different parts, 2 designates a knock-out forming the important feature of the present invention. The knock-out 2 is of block-likeform and may consist of cast iron or other suitable material that will withstand the high temperature to which it is subjected during the process of casting the stereotype-plate A. The top and bottom 4 and 6, re-

spectively, of the knock-out 2 are preferably of rectangular form and'the sides 8 and it may be parallel with each other but are preferably tapered slightly from the bottom 6 to the top 4 to facilitate removal of the knock-out from the aperture G which it forms in the stereotype-plate A during the casting process. The top 4 of the knock-out 2 is provided with .teeth l4 adapted to be countersunk in the matrix B, for the purpose of holding the knock-out in place and preventing it from shifting upon the matrix as molten metal is poured into the casting box C in which the matrix and the knock-out are locked. As shown by Fig. 1 the teeth may consist of spaced individual elements M, or they may be continuous as indicated at Ma on Fig. '7, which discloses a knock-out 2a which in other respects is similar to the knock-out 2, as evidenced by corresponding reference numbers with exponents a. The knock-outs may vary in length and width to correspond with the different sizes of apertures G, which they are to form at the blank spaces D and other parts of a stereotype-plate. Preferably the knock-outs are type high but may vary slightly if found desirable.

Fig. 6 discloses a flexible member lb of approximately the same length and width as the top or bottom of the knock-out 2, for preventing distortion of the matrix B when its blank space D or other part presents an irregular surface to the knock-out. The flexible member l6 may consist of cardboard or other suitable material adapted to withstand the heat to which it is subjected when locked in the casting box C with a matrix B and knock-out 2, during the casting process. When the blank space D or other part of the matrix B, where a knock-out is to be located, is higher than the main portion of the matrix as shown by Fig. 2, a flexible member I6 is inserted between the high place and the bottom E of the casting box C, so that when the lid F of the casting box is pressed down upon the knock-out 2 the pressure of the latter upon the high place will be sustained by the member l6 and thus prevent distortion of the matrix.

When the blank space D or other part of the matrix is below the level of the main body thereof, as shown by Fig. 3, the member I6 is inserted between the knock-out 2 and the underside of the lid F of the casting box. When the matrix presents an irregular surface such as .shown byEig. 4, one member I6 is placed between the knockout 2 and the lower portion of the matrix B, and another member I6 is placed between the raised portion of the matrix "and the bottom E of the casting box. Should the matrix present an irregular surface which differsfrom those above referred to the members ljEfmay be placed accordingly to support'the matrix.

The matrices B and the lea-sting box C maybe of conventional form, and after a matrix and one or more knock-outs and members l6 have been locked in the castin'g 'box, the latteris swung'upward to a verticalpo'sition to receive the molten metal which is poured therein through an openin'g in'theupper end thereof to produce the stereotype-plate A. .During the casting operation an aperture G is "formed in the stereotype-plate by each knock-out to receive a tutor typefor printing the name and address of a merchant, or other subject-matter, -as, 'hereinbeforestated. As the inner width of the castin'ggbox C "is greater than the width ofthe knock-"out 2 aspaee is left at one or both sides thereof through which a 'portion of the molten metal mayflow to fillthe lower inner part of Lthe casting box. On completion of the stereotype-plate it is removed from the casting box and each embedded knock-out 2 is readily removed by lightly tapping its surface 4 have been set up in one :or more openings .G; the stereotype-plate isready for use in a printing press.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawing it will be understood that I have produced simple and inexpensive means for forming apertures in stereotype-plates during the casting process, also flexible means for preventing distortion of matrices, and while I have shown two knock-outs with different kinds of teeth I reserve all rights to such other forms and modifications as properly fall within the to be placed upon said raised blank space, and a with'a mallet or othertoo'lnot likely to damage v the knock-out. Aitera cut or type .(not shown) flexible member adapted to be inserted between the raised portion of the matrix and the bottom of the casting box.

2. In combination with a stereotype casting box having a lid and bottom portion, a matrix in thecasting box and lying upon said bottom portion, said matrix having a blank space with an uneven surface,a printer"s knock-out arranged in the casting box adjacent to the blank space of the matrix and adapted to exert pressure thereon when the lid of the casting box is closed, and a flexible member associated with said printers knock-out and the matrix to prevent distortion of the blank space when pressure is applied thereto by the printers knock-out.

CHARLES W. WRIGHT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the .file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 430,273 Dejey June 1'7, 1890 1,636,346 Wood July 19, 1927 1,683,356 Hur1but. Sept. 4, 1928 2,192,754 Park Mar. 5, 1940 

